Cyprus is the third island in the Mediterranean, comprising an area of 9,251sq km. The island is characterised by considerable diversity of scenery, ranging from flat plains, a few metres above sea level, to lofty mountainous areas reaching a height of 1951 metres. A large number of geomorphological features, like raised beaches, tombolos, sea cliffs and sea caves, cuestas, ravines and gorges, river captures, coastal sand dunes, beautiful tiny isles and, above all, fine and coarse-grained sandy beaches are encountered. A great variety of rocks, belonging to different geological eras and ranging from sedimentary to metamorphic and igneous, with their hardness, colour and texture affect the relief, lending a distinct colour to the landscape of Cyprus.

The natural vegetation, influenced by the island’s position among three continents, is rich and varied with a number of endemic plants. Equally significant is the fauna of the island, with its unique moufflons roaming in herds in the forests of Pafos and Troodos. Moreover, millions of migratory birds use Cyprus as a stopover in their movement from the cold north-European countries to the warm countries of the African continent, and vice versa, during autumn, winter and spring.

What, however, makes Cyprus a very attractive and fascinating country for the foreign visitor, is its long and tempestuous history, dating back to the Neolithic times. Recent excavations at Shillourokambos, north of Amathous in Limassol district, place the neolithic era in Cyprus at 8200 B.C. Besides, all conquerors and settlers have left their imprints on the surface of the island. Every span of land in Cyprus has something to reveal to the visitor, local or foreign. It has often been written, that nowhere else in the world will the visitor find a similar size of land with such a large variety of physical and man-made environment. It is this tremendous variety of landscape that satisfies all needs and tastes. The visitors can visit archaeological sites and museums, popular neighborhoods and folk-art museums, basilicas and Byzantine frescoed churches, traditional houses and wine-presses. They can walk over cobbled streets and medieval bridges, or they can admire the large wine jars of the last two centuries, currently placed in the house yards for decorative purposes. They can take part in local festivals and dance contests, or they can watch or participate in the citrus, olive and grape gathering. Yet, if they like isolation, trekking, or countryside exploration, there are unspoilt areas, nature trails, large expanses of forest land and small, declining villages preserving their genuine customs and habits, particularly their hospitality. It is not surprising that the fruitful Greek imagination, wise and infallible in all its creative conceptions, chose out of all islands, Cyprus, as the birthplace of the Goddess of Love and Beauty, a symbolical realization of the island’s natural beauties and its poetic, romantic environment.

This guide, published by SELAS, aims at presenting to the visitors of Cyprus the physical and cultural heritage of the island.

Extract from  the Touring Guide of Cyprus published by SELAS PUBLICATIONS

Ancient writers, present-day historians, philologists, linguists and other researchers have been arguing concerning the origin of the name of KYPROS (Cyprus). The most dominant interpretations are the following ones:

(a) From a plan, called kypros (henna). For a long time, it was believed that Cyprus  obtained its name from a shrub called kypros of henna (Lawsonia alba.) Though this plant is native to North Africa, Arabia, Persia and India, it was never plethoric in Cyprus and even today scarcely  this shrub can be found.  It is unlikely that a relatively large island with a long history and a civilization dating back to a few millenia got its name from a non-native shrub.

(b) From a town of Cyprus name Kypros. According to Onorios and Isodoros, the name is due to a town lying between Kyrenia and Akanthou in the northern part of Cyprus.  However, such a town has never been unearthed not has historically been ascertained that there was an important town by this name. 

(c) From Kypris. A number of ancient writers use the adjective “Kypris” for Aphrodite, while Homer calls Aphrodite Kypris.  Though a few writers underline that Kypros (Cyprus) owns its name to Kypris, nevertheless it is Kypris that has derived its name from Kypros, since Kypris was the Goddess of Kypros (Cyprus).

(d) From Kypros the son or daughter of Kinyras

(e) From copper. The Bronze period in Cyprus starts from 2500 B.C. and continues until 1050 B.C.  During this period the production and exploitation of copper brought about a true revolution in  everyday life and economy of Cyprus.  Cyprus, on account of copper, became well known in the then known world.  The strategic position of Cyprus and the production of copper made Cyprus a pole of attraction for the different countries of the world.  Among those who were lured by the copper trade of Cyprus, were the Myceneans (Achaians), who settled in Cyprus in the 14^th century B.C. and thereafter Hellenised the island. The name Kypros appeared not as late as the Homeric time (8^th century B.C.). There is also another interpretation that copper took its name from Kypros (Cyprys).

Extract from  the Touring Guide of Cyprus published by SELAS PUBLICATIONS

The Laona plateau includes Kathikas, Pano and Kato Arodes, Ineia, Drousia, Kritou Tera, Androlikou, and Fasli, all villages of unparalleled natural and cultural wealth.

The virgin forest of Akamas is in the northwest of the plateau, the coastal plain of Chrysochous is in the north, the tree-lined valley of Chrysochous is in the east, and the northern part of the coastal plain of Pafos is in the west.

A winding asphalt road follows the ridge of Kathikas, Arodes, Ineia and Drousia, as mentioned in historical texts (see Jane Ferjwer, 1995, “Ancient Akamas”, page 103, “road 12b ridge way road from Ineia to ridge of Akamas”); part of it was used by the Romans. Travelling along this road towards the villages of Laona, you can see an exceptional landscape with vineyards, legumes, almond trees, carob trees, and olive trees. Natural vegetation coexists with century-old terebinth trees, whose dense branches and foliage are home to several endemic and migratory birds.

Despite the modernization of the area with the development of autonomous facilities, contemporary buildings, agrotourism accommodations, and restaurants, the distinctive identity of Laona has not altered, when compared to other rural areas of the country. The traditional houses, remnants of the old original local houses that had two rooms, arches, wooden roofs, and stone ovens in the courtyard, coexist with today’s modernized buildings. You can still see villagers riding donkeys, the traditional vine harvest, the preparation of ‘palouze’ and “soutzoukos”, the customs of Easter, and flocks of sheep and goats grazing in the valleys of the region.

The geomorphology and geology of the settlement is rich, with a terrain dissected by many creeks, hills, steep slopes and valleys. Its rich geodiversity comprises limestone, sandstone, chalk, marl, lava, serpentinite and an array of other allochthonous rocks of the Mamonia complex.

Although the village is located on the ridge of the plateau and the view is unobstructed in many directions, you must climb to the highest peak of the beautiful conical hill to the northwest of the village, known as “Vouni of Ineia/Vouni tis Ineias”, to enjoy the uninterrupted view of the surrounding area. The elevated hill, with the chapel of Agios Georgios, offers the dominant view of the area. The mountain of Ineia, otherwise known as “Vouni of Agios Georgios/Vouni tou Ai Giorkou”, which is situated on deep-water sediments like radiolarites and clays embedded with quartz sandstones, extends to an altitude of 668m above sea level and is the highest point in the entire Akamas peninsula.

However, the most impressive elements of this area are the imposing rocks of quartz sandstone, such as “Konneftis”, “Gerakoptera” and many other landforms, which are an important habitat for birdlife. Up until the end of the last century, these peculiar geophysical features were home to flocks of vultures, which unfortunately have almost disappeared. Today they have been replaced by corvids, such as Jackdaws (Corvus monedula) as well as Rock doves (Columba livia), various birds of prey, like peregrines (Falco peregrinus), kestrels (Falco tinnunculus), and Barn owls (Tyto alba). The above landforms are also probably the most important destinations for athletes and amateur climbers in Cyprus.

Briton George Jeffery mentioned in his book “A Description of the Historic Monuments of Cyprus”, 1918, that there may have been a 16th century observatory in this location, as the place is ideal for overlooking the coast.

This is confirmed by several ancient maps, like Ortelius’s map “Cyprus Insula Nova Descript” (Antwerp, 1573), Vincenzo Maria Coronelli’s map “Acamantis Insula, hoggidi Cipro” (Venice, 1689) and others, where there is mention of the “Igna” settlement (now Ineia), along with mention of the word “Quadria”, meaning Observatory. In fact, these maps also mention a settlement named “Ara”, probably referring to today’s Lara.

From the Guide Exploring Ineia and the Beaches of Lara.
The book is available at the Turtle Museum in the village of Inia.